Performing on a bass instrument in an ensemble
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse an ensemble performance and identify strategies for developing my own performance within an ensemble.
Key learning points
- To develop an ensemble performance, it is important for all players to have learnt their individual parts thoroughly.
- This ensures that players can play their parts accurately and fluently, and can focus on other aspects of performance.
- When practising as an ensemble, it is crucial to ensure that both balance and timing are perfect.
- We analysed an ensemble performance that demonstrated many effective features, with clear areas for improvement.
Keywords
Tone - the specific timbre of a sound, not to be confused with the interval also called a tone
Balance - the relative volume of different parts or instruments; effective balance is where every part can be heard clearly
Fluency - how effectively a performance ‘flows’ seamlessly without interruption or hesitation
Common misconception
Technique and fluency are not related.
Having good technique helps to perform fluently. If you struggle technically to play some passages, it makes it harder to play it fluently, particularly within an ensemble.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to focus on 'highest impact' areas for improvement. Playing accurate pitches and rhythms with consistent intonation and tone should be a priority. The 'ensemble' aspects - timing and balance - are also crucial, but should be a focus after mastering individual parts.
Files needed for this lesson
Performance exemplar - bass guitar ensemble (audio) 2.49 MB (MP3)
Performance exemplar - bass guitar ensemble (bass part) 44.74 KB (PDF)
Download these files to use in the lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which approach creates the most effective balance in an ensemble?
Q2.Put these practice steps in the best order to improve fluency:
Q3.Which action is likely to improve tone quality?
Q4.True or false? There is no difference between mezzo piano and mezzo forte playing.
To help you plan your 11 music lesson on: Performing on a bass instrument in an ensemble, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 music lesson on: Performing on a bass instrument in an ensemble, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 music lessons from the Ensemble performance unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.